Kyrgyzstan: Decision on Base Closure is Final

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Kyrgyzstan: Decision on Base Closure is Final

The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Feb 7, 2009 9:02:59 EST

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Kyrgyzstan will not reverse its decision to close a U.S. air base on its territory that is key to American and NATO operations in Afghanistan, a top Kyrgyz security official said Friday.

The statement by Kyrgyzstan’s National Security Council chief Adakhan Madumarov appeared to dash any U.S. hopes of securing a last-minute reprieve for the Manas air base, which is located just outside the capital of Bishkek.

“The fate of the air base has been sealed; there is no doubt the bill to revoke the basing agreement will be ratified,” Madumarov told a news conference.

Parliament is due to consider a government-sponsored bill to close the base next week.

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev stunned Washington when he announced the closure of the base earlier this week after securing more than $2 billion in financial aid and credit from Russia.

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